ZnT8 Deficiency Protects From APAP-Induced Acute Liver Injury by Reducing Oxidative Stress Through Upregulating Hepatic Zinc and Metallothioneins

Network pharmacology and experimental validation of effects of total saponins extracted from Abrus cantoniensis Hance on acetaminophen-induced liver injury

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Abrus cantoniensis Hance (AC), an abrus cantoniensis herb, is a Chinese medicinal herb used for the treatment of hepatitis. Total saponins extracted from AC (ACS) are a compound of triterpenoid saponins, which have protective properties against both chemical and immunological liver injuries. Nevertheless, ACS has not been proven to have an influence on drug-induced liver injury (DILI).

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study used network pharmacology and experiments to investigate the effects of ACS on acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The targets associated with ACS and DILI were obtained from online databases. Cytoscape software was utilized to construct a "compound-target" network. In addition, Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were used to analyze the related signaling pathways impacted by ACS. AutoDock Vina was utilized to evaluate the binding affinity between bioactive compounds and the key targets. To validate the findings of network pharmacology, in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted. Cell viability assay, transaminase activity detection, immunofluorescence assay, immunohistochemistry staining, RT-qPCR, and western blotting were utilized to explore the effects of ACS.

RESULTS

25 active compounds and 217 targets of ACS were screened, of which 94 common targets were considered as potential targets for ACS treating APAP-induced liver injury. GO and KEGG analyses showed that the effects of ACS exert their effects on liver injury through suppressing inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Molecular docking results demonstrated that core active compounds of ACS were successfully docked to core targets such as CASP3, BCL2L1, MAPK8, MAPK14, PTGS2, and NOS2. In vitro experiments showed that ACS effectively attenuated APAP-induced damage through suppressing transaminase activity and attenuating apoptosis. Furthermore, in vivo studies demonstrated that ACS alleviated pathological changes in APAP-treated mice and attenuated inflammatory response. Additionally, ACS downregulated the expression of iNOS, COX2, and Caspase-3, and upregulated the expression of Bcl-2. ACS also suppressed the MAPK signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that ACS is a hepatoprotective drug through the combination of network pharmacology and in vitro and in vivo experiments. The findings reveal that ACS effectively attenuate APAP-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation through inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway. Consequently, this research offers novel evidence supporting the potential preventive efficacy of ACS.

Protective Effects of Apamin on Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose can cause severe liver damage, but therapeutic options are limited. Apamin is a natural peptide present in bee venom and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Accumulating evidence suggests that apamin has favorable actions in rodent models of inflammatory disorders. Here, we examined the effect of apamin on APAP-evoked hepatotoxicity. Intraperitoneal administration of apamin (0.1 mg/kg) alleviated histological abnormalities and reduced serum levels of liver enzymes in mice injected with APAP. Apamin inhibited oxidative stress through an increase in the amount of glutathione and activation of the antioxidant system. Apamin also attenuated apoptosis with inhibition of caspase-3 activation. Moreover, apamin reduced serum and hepatic levels of cytokines in APAP-injected mice. These effects were accompanied by suppression of NF-κB activation. Furthermore, apamin inhibited chemokine expression and inflammatory cell infiltration. Our results suggest that apamin dampens APAP-evoked hepatotoxicity through inhibiting oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation.

Protection of taraxasterol against acetaminophen-induced liver injury elucidated through network pharmacology and in vitro and in vivo experiments

BACKGROUND

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is primarily caused by drugs or their metabolites. Acetaminophen (APAP) is an over-the-counter antipyretic analgesic that exhibits high hepatotoxicity when used for long-term or in overdoses. Taraxasterol is a five-ring triterpenoid compound extracted from traditional Chinese medicinal herb Taraxacum officinale. Our previous studies have demonstrated that taraxasterol exerts protective effects on alcoholic and immune liver injuries. However, the effect of taraxasterol on DILI remains unclear.

HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE

This study aimed to elucidate the effects and mechanisms of action of taraxasterol on APAP-induced liver injury using network pharmacology and in vitro and in vivo experiments.

METHODS

Online databases of drug and disease targets were used to screen the targets of taraxasterol and DILI, and a protein-protein interaction network (PPI) was constructed. Core target genes were identified using the tool of Analyze of Cytoscape, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed. Oxidation, inflammation and apoptosis were evaluated to determine the effect of taraxasterol on APAP-stimulated liver damage in AML12 cells and mice. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blotting were used to explore the potential mechanisms of taraxasterol against DILI.

RESULTS

Twenty-four intersection targets for taraxasterol and DILI were identified. Among them, 9 core targets were identified. GO and KEGG analysis showed that core targets are closely related to oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammatory response. The in vitro findings showed that taraxasterol alleviated mitochondrial damage in AML12 cells treated with APAP. The in vivo results revealed that taraxasterol alleviated pathological changes in the livers of mice treated with APAP and inhibited the activity of serum transaminases. Taraxasterol increased the activity of antioxidants, inhibited the production of peroxides, and reduced inflammatory response and apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Taraxasterol promoted Nrf2 and HO-1 expression, suppressed JNK phosphorylation, and decreased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase-3 expression in AML12 cells and mice.

CONCLUSION

By integrating network pharmacology with in vitro and in vivo experiments, this study indicated that taraxasterol inhibits APAP-stimulated oxidative stress, inflammatory response and apoptosis in AML12 cells and mice by regulating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, JNK phosphorylation, and apoptosis-related protein expression. This study provides a new evidence for the use of taraxasterol as a hepatoprotective drug.

Clinical and biochemical understanding of Zinc interaction during liver diseases: A paradigm shift

Zinc (Zn) is an essential and the second most abundant trace element after Iron. It can apply antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic activity. It is assumed to be indispensable for cell division, cellular differentiation and cell signalling. Zinc is essential for proper liver function which is also the site of its metabolism. Depleted Zn concentrations have been observed in both acute and chronic hepatic diseases. It is reported that Zn deficiency or abnormal Zn metabolism during majority of liver diseases is attributed to deficient dietary intake of Zn, augmented disposal of Zn in the urine, activation of certain Zn transporters, and expression of hepatic metallothionein. Undoubtedly, Zn is involved in generating many diseases but how and whether it plays role from acute to fulminant stage of all chronic liver diseases remains to be cleared. Here, we will discuss the role of Zn in development of different diseases specifically the involvement of Zn to understand the aetiology and intricate mechanism of dynamic liver diseases.

Single-cell RNA-seq reveals cellular heterogeneity from deep fascia in patients with acute compartment syndrome

Introduction

High stress in the compartment surrounded by the deep fascia can cause acute compartment syndrome (ACS) that may result in necrosis of the limbs. The study aims to investigate the cellular heterogeneity of the deep fascia in ACS patients by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq).

Methods

We collected deep fascia samples from patients with ACS (high-stress group, HG, n=3) and patients receiving thigh amputation due to osteosarcoma (normal-stress group, NG, n=3). We utilized ultrasound and scanning electron microscopy to observe the morphologic change of the deep fascia, used multiplex staining and multispectral imaging to explore immune cell infiltration, and applied scRNA-seq to investigate the cellular heterogeneity of the deep fascia and to identify differentially expressed genes.

Results

Notably, we identified GZMK⁺interferon-act CD4 central memory T cells as a specific high-stress compartment subcluster expressing interferon-related genes. Additionally, the changes in the proportions of inflammation-related subclusters, such as the increased proportion of M2 macrophages and decreased proportion of M1 macrophages, may play crucial roles in the balance of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory in the development of ACS. Furthermore, we found that heat shock protein genes were highly expressed but metal ion-related genes (S100 family and metallothionein family) were down-regulated in various subpopulations under high stress.

Conclusions

We identified a high stress-specific subcluster and variations in immune cells and fibroblast subclusters, as well as their differentially expressed genes, in ACS patients. Our findings reveal the functions of the deep fascia in the pathophysiology of ACS, providing new approaches for its treatment and prevention.